What is Gen-Z?
Formally speaking, Gen-Z is the generation born from the mid-to-late 1990s to the early 2010s. The most distinct feature of Gen-Z compared with other generations is their 'Internet savviness', having been the first generation to grow up with access to the Internet and portable digital technology throughout their lives. So how does Gen-Z stand out from other generations?
A Tech-dependent generation?
Gen-Zers are generally stereotyped to be extremely tech-dependent. With the adaption to technology over the years, it's become a common practice for teenagers to be equipped with phones and laptops. As a result, it creates an illusion that because Gen-Zers are capable of using technology to their full advantage---Facetiming, texting, connecting via social media etc, they are subsequently dependent on these features, or feel uncomfortable communicating besides through a virtual screen. With the escalation of the global pandemic in recent years, even school has been brought online and it
seems as though Gen-Zers are inseparable from their devices.
However, this is inherently false. Although Gen-Zers were brought up with a strong element of technology added to their lives, as opposed to previous generations, they aren't exactly converting all activities in the physical world into digital experiences. A more accurate insight would be that they are simply eliminating the distinction drawn between physical and digital worlds so that one can interact with both worlds seamlessly and use technology to their best convenience. While the common misconception is that Gen-Zers communicate less effectively because they spend all their time being cooped up in their houses, eyes glued to the screen, it's a bit of a stretch. Many use their phones to arrange face-to-face meetings instead of only calling each other. Moreover, the convenience that the Internet brings us now means that we can connect and communicate with more people across the world, and not be limited by any time zone , distance or language differences. If anything, technology brings Gen-Zers closer than ever, bridging any and all gaps between different groups.
Generation diversity
Gen-Zers are the most diverse generation yet, and consequently, the most accepting. They are less fazed than previous generations by the differences in race, sexual orientation or religion. This is largely due to the influences they receive growing up. In Hong Kong, Gen-Zers were more likely to grow up in a household where gender roles were blurred and earning money, as well as caring for the family was a shared job more than a distributed one. As an extremely diverse and socially connected generation, they value diversity and inclusion, and in particular, place a strong emphasis on gender identity and expression.
Gen-Z insecurities
However, it’s definitely not all fun being a Gen-Z. Along with the judgment from other generations in expressing themselves and adopting a more Internet-based lifestyle, they’re also growing up in an age of stress and anxiety. According to the American Psychological Association, just 45% of Gen Zers report that their mental health is very good or excellent, while all other generation groups fared better on this statistic, including Millennials (56%), Gen Xers (51%), and Boomers (70%). In particular, Covid-19 has made a significant impact on Gen-Z’s mental and physical health. It's not hard to understand why their physical health declined: with so many months of lockdown and sports facilities shut down, many of us didn’t leave our houses for days at a time. But the longer-lasting effect of the pandemic on Gen-Zs might’ve been on our mental health. According to research published in the Lancet, across the world, rates of depression and anxiety rose by more than 25% in 2020. Younger age groups saw greater increases than older groups, with 20- to 24-year-olds enduring the largest leaps of all. For studying Gen-Zers, school might’ve been a safety net from their families, a place where they were more accepted as a part of the queer community or a safe haven where they were free from the nagging and never-ending pressure from their parents. One study found that 81% of LGBTQ youth described their living situation during the pandemic as more stressful than it was pre-pandemic. The pandemic separated students from their familiar social structures and networks. Even with their tech-savvy skills, in-person meetings simply can’t be replaced by phone calls.
Sources:
Writer: Gaille Su
Editor: Joyce Liang
Artist: Holly Liu
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